kruse



P. KRUSE.

MACHINE FOR SEAMING HEADS 0R ENDS 0N CANS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.II.19I8.

1 ,3 1 3,998. Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

' INVENTOR T 111 @i &1: By Attorneys,

P. KRUSE.

MACHINE FOR SEAMING HEADS 0R ENDS ON CANS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. II. 1918.

1,313,998. Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P. KRUSE.

MACHINE FOR SEAMING HEADS 0R ENDS 0N CANS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. II, I9I8.

1 ,3 1 3,998. Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

INVENTOR flay jvm,

By Attorneys,

UNITED sra rns PATENT OFFICE.

PETER KRUSE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. W. BLISS COMPANY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

MACHINE FOR SEAMING HEADS 0R ENDS ON CANS.

Application filed April 11,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER Klursn, a citi-' zen of the United States of America, re siding in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Seaming Heads or Ends on Cans, of which the following'is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for seaming heads on cans, or canbodies, and aims to provide in'iprovements therein.

The present invention embodies general characteristics of those set forth in my United States Patent No. 1,143,976, granted June 22, 1915, and in my United States application, Serial No. 137,634, filed December resilient action; it provides a machine, of the type disclosed in my former patent and application, which is adjustable for cans or can-bodies of different height, and it provides a machine including means for giving the can a preliminary spin before coming into contact with the seaming rolls, and further provides a machine wherein the. action of the first and second seamers may be adjusted during the running of the machine.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts in section, of the embodiment of the invention chosen for illustration;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. .3 is a vertical section on the line III-III, Fig. 1; I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line IV-IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of part of the machine and shows an alternative construction of the means which support the can-holding chucks.

. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented A11 26, 1919.

1918. Serial No. 227,907.

11 designates a seaming ring and 15 an opposite seaming sector. One of these parts performs the first seaming operation and the other the second. One or both ofthese seamers is preferably rotatable.

The can'bodies and ends are supported by suitable means, as chucks 7 and 8, these means or chucks being displaceable to move the can-bodies and ends into successive operative contact with the seamers. The chucks 7 and S are also preferably mounted upon a rotatable carrier, as the plates 1 and 2, the carrier acting to move the cans and ends from a receiving position to a discharge position. The plates 1 and 2 may be conveniently mounted upon a fixed shaft 3, the carrier-plates 1 and 2 being rotated by a shaft 11 through the pinions and gears 5 and (3, 5 and (i. The shaft 14 may be driven by a suitable pulley 4.

As stated, one of the seamers, as the seamer 11, is rotatable, and to this end the seamer 11 is fixed upon a. support or spider 12, provided with a sleeve 13 fitted upon the shaft 3, through the intermediary of which the plate 1 bears upon the shaft 3. The support 12 carrying the seamer 11 is rotated from the shaft 11 through the intermediary of the gears 16 and 17, 18 and 19, the gear 19 being fixed upon the sleeve 13. By changing either of the pair of gears 16 and 17 or 18 and 19, a different speed of rotation may be given to the seamer 11, as may be desirable, it being understood that the speed of rotation of the cans varies witlrtheir diameter, and on this account it may be desirable to vary the speed of rotation of the seamer 11 when the machine is adjusted for differentsize cans.

The rotation of the seamer 11 is ordinarily in the same direction as, and faster than that of the carriers 1, 2, on which the chucks 7, 8 are carried, the can and assembled head being thereby given a rotation in the same direction as it subsequently rolls onthe seaming sector 15 about to be particurier corresponding to the carrier 1 herein.

The seaming sector 15 might be similarly ar-v support, in order that otherseamers for different slze cans may be substituted.

The seamers 15 are preferably formed of a strip of steel capable of being greatly hardened.- 'In the process of hardening, the steel frequently undergoes slight variations of form. In order to rectify, in a simple manner, these variations of form, the seamer 15 is formed with a wedge 26, and this Wedge is seated in a corresponding groove 27 in a backing strip 28, the backing strip 28 and the seaming roll being bolted together, the wedge and recess causing the seamer to assume a strictly concentric form.

The seamer 15 and its backing 28 are resiliently supported upon the support 20. By resiliently mounting the seamer 15, irregularities in the thicknesses of tin-plate, small surface irregularities, and the greater thickness of metal at the point where the edges of the body-blank are joined, are compensated for, so that the pressure at such localized points does not become so great as to split the tin-plate and thereby allow leaks to develop in the sealed cans.

The resilient mounting may be carried out in any suitable way. As here shown, the seamer l5 and backing 28 are connected, near one end, by a pin 29 passing therethrough and fixed to the support 20. This pin 29 preferably has an eccentric portion 29 permitting of the proximity of the end of the seamer to the can being adjusted. A bolt 30 attached to the opposite end of the seamer 15, passing through a lug 31 on the support 20, limits the movement of the seamer inward. By turning the nut on the bolt 30, the proximity of the seamer 15 to the can may be adjusted, and this adjustment may be effected during the running of the machine. The seamer 15 ispressed inthe chuck 7 by a spring 41, and being pressed wardly a plurality of springs 35, these springs being conveniently contained in housings 36 fastened to the sup-port 20. Followers 37 are preferably placed between the springs and the seamer 15. The tension of the springs may be varied by means of the screws 38.

The chuck 8 is movable toward and from the chuck 7, in order to admit of the receiving and removal of cans to and from between the chucks, the rod 40 which carries the chuck 8 being pressed away from toward the chuck 7 by a cam-plate 42, which engages a roller onthe end of the rod 40.

- plate, .as indicated at 52".

' seamer 11, means for preliminarily spinning Inorder that the machine may be adjusted for cans of different height, the plate 2 of the carrier is shiftable along the .shaft 3, and the gear 5 is also shiftable on its shaft 1 The cam-plate a2 is mounted upon threaded arms 43, and the position of the cam-plate 12 may be adjusted by the nuts 44 bearing upon either side of the upright portion 45 of the main frame. 2

The chucks 7 and 8 are mounted upon slides 50, sliding in suitable slideways upon the carrier-plates 1 and 2. These slides 50 are moved in and out by means of rollers 51 beari'ngrupon cam-plates 52. The camplates 52 are preferably formed in a manner to permit of an adjustment which will move the chucks (and the cans or can-bodies and ends carried thereby) to a slight extent toward or from a seamer, as here shown, the seamer 11. This is conveniently effected by pivoting a segmental portion 52 of the cam-plate 52 onto the body of the cam- The position of the segmental portion 52 mav be adjusted by a bolt 52 passing through the body of the cam-plate and having a nut 52? at its outer end. A stiff spring 52 maybe interposed between the segment'52 and the body of the cam-plate 52 for holding the segment in the most outward position permitted by the bolt 52. Any other .suitable means may be employed for positioning the segment. The bolt 53 andnut 58 are accessible so] that the position of the cam segment may be adjusted during the running of the machine. The proximity of the can and head thereon to the seamer 11 may therefore be varied and consequently the formation of the seam may be advantageously effected during the running of the machine.

In order to accomplish an easy working of the machine, and a resilient pressure in the formation of the seamin the first operation stage, the slides 50'are resiliently held in contact' with the cams 52 by springs 53, attached at one end to the slide, and at the other end to the carrier-plates 1 and 2. Instead of mounting the chucks 7 and 8 in slides, the chucks 7 and 8 may bemounted in arms 50 (Fig. 5) pivoted upon the plates 1 and 2, as shown at 50 springs 58 being attached to the arms 50' and plate 1 for pressing the roller '51 upon the cam 52.

In order that the cans may be set in r0- tation prior to coming in contact with the or rotating the cans are preferably provided. These means may comprise a small wheel or roller 60 carried upon the spindle of one of the chucks, as the chuck 7, and a rack or strip 61, preferably resiliently supported in a bracket 62 (Fig. 2), attached to the main frame of the machine. Y

Operation: The seaming of heads or ends r on cans is usually effected in two operations, called the first seaming operation and the second seaming operation.

As here shown, the seaming ring 11 is adapted to perform the first seaming operation. Can-bodies and ends are fed to a machine by a suitable feed-means 70. the bodies and ends being received and held together by a pair of chucks 7 and 8 upon the carriers 1' and 2, the chuck 8 being moved inwardly by the cam 12 to hold the body and head together after their assembly. Opposite the point where the cans and ends are fed to the machine, the rollers 51 are upon the high parts of the cams 52. After the body and end are assembled, the chucks are moved inwardly under the pressure of the springs 53 and the centric slope of the cams 52. Meanwhile the can may be given a preliminary rotation or spin by means of the wheel 60 on the spindle of the chuck 7 coming in contact with the rack or strip 61.

While thus rotating, the assembled canparts come in contact with the rotating seaming roll 11, the action of which is to turn the edges of the end around and under the flange upon the can-body, and to further bend or curl the interlocked flange of the can-body and the edges of the can-end, in a manner such as is usual in the carrying out of the first seaming operation.

After the first seaming operation is completed, the cams 52 shift the chucks? and 8, and the cam-parts carried thereby, into contact with the seaming roll 15 for performing the second sean'iing operation. The seaming roll 15 acts to press the metal of the seam very tightly together. If there is any variation in the thickness of the tin or any little lumps in the same or surface irregularities, the seamer 15 yields under the increased pressure, and thereby obviates the metal of the seam being pressed so hard as to split or crack. This yielding is. moreover, advantageous at the point in the seam where occurs the lapped ends of the blank forming the can-body. The seamer 15 yields at the oint where the lap occurs, so as to avoid craclling or splitting the metal at this point. It is here where most cracks occur in the operation of seaming heads on cans. It will be understood that the seamer 15 will ordinarily yield toa slight extent in the .normal operation of the machine.

After the seamer 15 has completed its action upon the same, the chucks may be allowed to move apart, by the cam 42, thus releasing the can, and the can may be removed or ejected from the machine in any suitable manner. At 75 the can is shown as leaving the machine.

To adjust the machine for cans of different height, the plate 2 is shifted axially of the shaft 3, and the gear 5 is correspondingly shifted. The cam 42 is then adjusted toward or from the plate 2, by means of the threaded shafts 43 and nuts In seaming cans of different diameter, it maybe desirable to change the speed of rotation of the seamer 11. This may be readily effected by changing the pairs of gears 18, 19 or 16, 17.

In order to adjust the action of the seamer 11 in performing the first seaming operation, the segmental portions 52 of the cams 52 are adjusted and this allows the chucks 7 and 8 carried by the slides 50, and bearing on the cams through the rollers 51, to bring the cans and assembled ends nearer to or farther from the seamer 11. This adjustment may be effected during the running of the machine, as the nuts 52 are accessible from the side of the machine.

The proximity of the seamer 15 to the can may also be adjusted, by turning the eccentric pin 29 and loosening or tightening the nut on the bolt 30. This adjustment may be effected during the running of the ma chine. The force with which the seamcr 15 acts in the second operation of forming the seam may be adjusted by turning the screws 38.

There may be other embodiments of the invention than that herein specifically illustrated and described.

WVhat is claimed is:-

1. A seaming machine comprising a seamer having a curvature of large radius, a resilient support for said seamcr. said seamer comprising a strip 01 hardened metal. abacking strip to which the hardened strip is fastened, and means forcing said hardened strip to assume a true form.

2. A seaming machine comprising an annular seamer and an opposite scamer having a curvature parallel to the first, means for bringing a can and end into position to be operated upon first by one seamer and then by the other, means for producing relative movement between said scanners and can, and means for imparting a spin to said can prior to coming into contact with the first seamer.

3. A seaming machine comprising an annular scamer and an opposite seamer having a curvature parallel to the first, means for bringing a can and end into position tobe operated upon first by one seamer and then by the other, said means comprising a slide, a cam for moving said slide. and a spring pressing said slide toward said cam.

4. A seaming machine comprising a seamer, an impositively driven can-support, said can-support being rotatable under the contact of a can thereon with the seamer, and means'for imparting a spin to said can support, and a can thereon, prior to coming into contact with said seamer.

5. A seaming machinq comprising a pair of opposlte 0011661113110 seamers, a can-support comprising a pair of chucks, a cam-' plate for moving a chuck to bring the chucks together to clamp a can-body and end, and

.means for adjusting the position of said camplate, whereby can-bodies of different height may have ends seamed thereon.

6. A seaming machine comprising an annular seamer, an opposite seamer having a curvature parallel to the first, means for bringing a can and end into position to be operated upon first by one seamer and then by the other, said opposite seamer being resiliently. mounted. v

7 A seaming machine comprising a ro- )tary annular seamer, an opposite stationary seamer having a curvature parallel to the first, means for bringing a can and end into position to be operated upon first by one seamer and then by the other,said opposite seamer being resiliently mounted, and means opposite seamer being resiliently mounted- 9. A seaming machine comprlsing a pair of substantially parallel opposite seamers,

means for bringing a can and end thereon into operative contact with one seamer and afterward into operative contact with,the other seamer, and means providing a resilient pressure between said can and second seamer.

10. A seaming machine comprising a pair of substantially parallel opposite seamers, means forbringing a can and end thereon into operative contact with one seamer and afterward into operative contact with the other seamer, and means providing a' resilient pressure between said can and both said seamers.

11. A seaming machine comprising a pair of substantially parallel opposite seamers, means for bringing a can and end thereon into operative contact with one seamer and afterward into operative contact with the other seamer, means providing a resilient pressure between said can and second seamer, and means for adjusting the pressure between said can and seamer during the running of the machine. I

12. A seaming machine comprisinga pair of substantially parallel opposite seamers, means for bringing a can and end thereon into operative contact with one seamer and afterward into operative contact with the other seamer, means providing a resilient pressure between said can and both said seamers, and means for adjusting the pressure between said can and seamers during the running of the machine.

13. A seaming machine comprising a pair of substantially parallel opposite seamers, means for bringing a can and end thereon into operative contact with one seamer and afterward into operative contact with the other seamer, and means for adjusting the relative proximity between a seamer and a can, whereby the seaming action may be adjusted.

14. A seaming machine comprising a pair of substantially parallel opposite seamers, means for bringing a can and end thereon into operative contact with one seamer and afterward into operative contact with the other seamer, and means for adjusting the relative proximity between a seamer and a can, whereby the seaming action may be adjusted, said means. being accessible for ad justment during the running of the machine.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

' PETER KRUSE.

l/Vitnesses:

EDWIN B. PEET, EDWARD C. REDHEAD. 

